Hey there, my tech-loving followers! I’ve got some news that might make you raise an eyebrow. It seems that Meta, the company behind Facebook, is pulling the plug on Messenger Lite for Android. Yeah, I know, it’s a bummer.

For those who aren’t familiar, Messenger Lite was a nifty little app that provided a more lightweight way to chat with your buddies on the Messenger platform. It was like the diet version of the main Messenger app. Some of you may remember that even our beloved former Verge staffer Vlad Savov was a fan of this stripped-down version.

But hold on to your hats because starting from September 18th, you won’t be able to use Messenger Lite anymore. Nope, it’s going bye-bye. When you open the app, you’ll be greeted with a prompt nudging you towards the main Messenger app. So, it’s time to bid adieu to our lightweight friend.

Now, here’s the kicker. If you haven’t already downloaded Messenger Lite from Google Play, tough luck! You won’t find it there anymore. It’s like trying to find a unicorn in a haystack. Poof! Gone.

Don’t worry, though. Meta has officially confirmed this shutdown in a statement to TechCrunch. According to a Meta spokesperson, starting from August 21st, Messenger Lite users on Android will be redirected to either Messenger or FB Lite (Facebook Lite) to send and receive messages on the Messenger platform.

Now, before you start mourning the loss of Messenger Lite too much, let me remind you of another recent change made by Meta for Android users. They announced that after September 28th, you won’t be able to use Messenger as your default SMS app on Android anymore. Double whammy!

So, there you have it, folks. Meta’s Messenger Lite is waving goodbye, and it’s time for us to embrace the full-bodied Messenger app or its lighter cousin, FB Lite. Change is inevitable, my friends, and we must adapt. Until next time!